Mets close to signing outfielder Willie Harris

Howard Smith/US PresswireOutfielder Willie Harris spent the 2010 season with the Nationals.

Another need for the Mets will likely be filled today, as the team is close to signing veteran outfielder Willie Harris to a minor-league deal, according a person with knowledge of the situation who requested anonymity because the terms have not been finalized.

General manager Sandy Alderson indicated earlier this week that the team was in need of an fourth outfielder. Harris fits that bill.

Harris, a 32-year-old with a reputation for making catches which sting the Mets, hit .183 for Washington last year with 10 homers in 262 plate appearances. Harris played both outfield corners for the Nationals. He could help spell the Mets’ current rotation of Jason Bay, Carlos Beltran and Angel Pagan. His presence would also allow the team to keep Lucas Duda in Triple-A for another year of seasoning.

At the beginning of the week, Alderson indicated interest in another starting pitcher, a left-handed reliever and an extra outfielder. Harris is the outfielder. Taylor Tankersley, the former first-round pick of the Marlins, is the lefty reliever.

The only void which remains is the most important one: Attempting to replace injured starter Johan Santana, who was cleared by team doctors today and can now begin his throwing program to rehabilitate his injured left shoulder. Santana will rehab near his home in Fort Myers, Fla.

But he will not return until the summer. So the team is still hunting for another starter, and the market thinned Thursday. The Royals signed Jeff Francis, one of the Mets options for a thin rotation.

The Mets' top target is still Chris Young, the former All-Star who worked with both Alderson and assistant general manager Paul DePodesta in San Diego. Young has dealt with arm injuries the past two seasons.